I need a good rules-based answer, not personal opinion.
ok, a lot of us have read the feat. My first question is, what
happens if your caster level is reduced by 4 and you only have 1
caster level to start with?
Example: A Cleric 1/Fighter 3 takes Mage Slayer. What is the
caster level for his cleric spells?
A) 1 (the minimum)
B) 0 (a game mechanic minimum)
C) -3
Furthermore, what happens when he tries to cast a 1st level spell
that has a duration other than instantaneous? What happens when he
casts a 0 level spell?
A) Since the spell has no duration in rounds, it effectively becomes
an instantaneous spell that expires immediately much like a fireball.
B) The spell fails. His caster level is so bad that he effectively
can't cast now.
C) The spell goes off, but may have no effect because of the level
based variable effects.
Ditto some of the same questions for spell-like abilities
Here are some of the sections on magic from the SRD:
CASTER LEVEL
A spell's power often depends on its caster level, which for most
spellcasting characters is equal to your class level in the class
you're using to cast the spell.
You can cast a spell at a lower caster level than normal, but the
caster level you choose must be high enough for you to cast the
spell in question, and all level-dependent features must be based on
the same caster level.
In the event that a class feature, domain granted power, or other
special ability provides an adjustment to your caster level, that
adjustment applies not only to effects based on caster level (such
as range, duration, and damage dealt) but also to your caster level
check to overcome your target's spell resistance and to the caster
level used in dispel checks (both the dispel check and the DC of the
check).
SPELL FAILURE
If you ever try to cast a spell in conditions where the
characteristics of the spell cannot be made to conform, the casting
fails and the spell is wasted.
DURATION
A spell's Duration entry tells you how long the magical energy of
the spell lasts.
Timed Durations: Many durations are measured in rounds, minutes,
hours, or some other increment. When the time is up, the magic goes
away and the spell ends. If a spell's duration is variable the
duration is rolled secretly (the caster doesn't know how long the
spell will last).
Instantaneous: The spell energy comes and goes the instant the spell
is cast, though the consequences might be long-lasting.
Permanent: The energy remains as long as the effect does. This means
the spell is vulnerable to dispel magic.
Concentration: The spell lasts as long as you concentrate on it.
Concentrating to maintain a spell is a standard action that does not
provoke attacks of opportunity. Anything that could break your
concentration when casting a spell can also break your concentration
while you're maintaining one, causing the spell to end.
You can't cast a spell while concentrating on another one. Sometimes
a spell lasts for a short time after you cease concentrating.
Subjects, Effects, and Areas: If the spell affects creatures
directly the result travels with the subjects for the spell's
duration. If the spell creates an effect, the effect lasts for the
duration. The effect might move or remain still. Such an effect can
be destroyed prior to when its duration ends. If the spell affects
an area then the spell stays with that area for its duration.
Creatures become subject to the spell when they enter the area and
are no longer subject to it when they leave.
ok, a lot of us have read the feat. My first question is, what
happens if your caster level is reduced by 4 and you only have 1
caster level to start with?
Example: A Cleric 1/Fighter 3 takes Mage Slayer. What is the
caster level for his cleric spells?
A) 1 (the minimum)
B) 0 (a game mechanic minimum)
C) -3
Furthermore, what happens when he tries to cast a 1st level spell
that has a duration other than instantaneous? What happens when he
casts a 0 level spell?
A) Since the spell has no duration in rounds, it effectively becomes
an instantaneous spell that expires immediately much like a fireball.
B) The spell fails. His caster level is so bad that he effectively
can't cast now.
C) The spell goes off, but may have no effect because of the level
based variable effects.
Ditto some of the same questions for spell-like abilities
Here are some of the sections on magic from the SRD:
CASTER LEVEL
A spell's power often depends on its caster level, which for most
spellcasting characters is equal to your class level in the class
you're using to cast the spell.
You can cast a spell at a lower caster level than normal, but the
caster level you choose must be high enough for you to cast the
spell in question, and all level-dependent features must be based on
the same caster level.
In the event that a class feature, domain granted power, or other
special ability provides an adjustment to your caster level, that
adjustment applies not only to effects based on caster level (such
as range, duration, and damage dealt) but also to your caster level
check to overcome your target's spell resistance and to the caster
level used in dispel checks (both the dispel check and the DC of the
check).
SPELL FAILURE
If you ever try to cast a spell in conditions where the
characteristics of the spell cannot be made to conform, the casting
fails and the spell is wasted.
DURATION
A spell's Duration entry tells you how long the magical energy of
the spell lasts.
Timed Durations: Many durations are measured in rounds, minutes,
hours, or some other increment. When the time is up, the magic goes
away and the spell ends. If a spell's duration is variable the
duration is rolled secretly (the caster doesn't know how long the
spell will last).
Instantaneous: The spell energy comes and goes the instant the spell
is cast, though the consequences might be long-lasting.
Permanent: The energy remains as long as the effect does. This means
the spell is vulnerable to dispel magic.
Concentration: The spell lasts as long as you concentrate on it.
Concentrating to maintain a spell is a standard action that does not
provoke attacks of opportunity. Anything that could break your
concentration when casting a spell can also break your concentration
while you're maintaining one, causing the spell to end.
You can't cast a spell while concentrating on another one. Sometimes
a spell lasts for a short time after you cease concentrating.
Subjects, Effects, and Areas: If the spell affects creatures
directly the result travels with the subjects for the spell's
duration. If the spell creates an effect, the effect lasts for the
duration. The effect might move or remain still. Such an effect can
be destroyed prior to when its duration ends. If the spell affects
an area then the spell stays with that area for its duration.
Creatures become subject to the spell when they enter the area and
are no longer subject to it when they leave.
), anyways, to make good use of it.
